Fountain cleaning device



Feb# 2, 1943- J..A. wlsNl-:R 2,310,006

` FOUNTAIN CLEANING DEVIC l lFiled oct. 1o, 1,940 Y3 sheds-sheet 1 Fig4.

l BY", i m l4&1

ATTORNEY.

l Feb' 2,1943- v J. A. w|sNER I 2,531.0,006

' FOUNTAIN qLEgN-NG DEVICE Fi'led-oct.- 1o, 1940l slsneetg-sneet 2 grim"IN VEN TOR.

l Fb.2, 1943.- J, A WlsNER 2,310,006l

FOUNTAIN CLEANING DEVICE Filed oct. 10.11940 :s sheets-sheet 5V 5/Patented Feb. 2, 1943 'UNITED STATES FTENT OFFICE roUN'rAiN CLEANINGDEVICE John A. Wisner, Baltimore, Md. ,Application october 10, 1940,serial No. 360,556

' 1 Claim.

My invention relates to cleaning devices, and more particularly relatesto a fountain cleaning device for supplying a cleaning solution throughan applicator to surfaces to be cleaned.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an easily portablefountain cleaner ofadequate cleaning fluid capacity having a convenientapplicator.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive anddurable cleaning fluid reservoir of the pneumatic type, which is easilyoperated.

A further `object of my invention is to produce an applicator of simpleand inexpensive design, and which is light in Weight and has a maximumeiciency.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a leak-proofapplicator control valve of simple design.

With these and other objects in View, which will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, my invention is embodied in a portable cleaningfluid reservoir provided with an air pressure pump and adapted to supplyan applicator ,with fluid under pressure via a connecting flexible tube,the applicator being shaped to fit the hand and having a finger-operatedvalve for release of the uid to the working surface.

The invention, both as to details of construction and combination ofparts, will best be understood from the following description of aspecic embodiment, which I illustrate as an example, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the fountain cleaner of my invention as wornand held by an operator.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the applicator of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the applicator of Fig. 2. l

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevational View, partly in section of the applicatorcontrol valve.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the reservoir in accordance with myinvention.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational sectional view of the reservoir of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of my applicatortaken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is an end View of the applicator.

Fig. 10 is an end view of the sponge and spring member.

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of one of the springs per se.

Referring now to the drawings, I show in Fig. 1 a reservoir A and anapplicator B connected by a exible tube C for transferring cleaningfluid from the reservoir to the applicator. The reservoir A is attachedto the wearer by means of straps lil and is equipped with a bulb typehandoperated air pressure pump l2 for placing the contents underpressure.

As shown in Fig. 7, the pump I2 supplies air under pressure to theinterior of the reservoir A, which is preferably of metal, by way of aninternal metal tube I4 opening into the topmost part of the reservoir,illustrated as in the lling cap extension i6. Air is thereby compressedabove the liquid contents (not illustrated) in the reservoir. The liquidcleaner leaves the reservoir by way of the metal withdrawal tube I8which extends from the outside downwardly through the top of thereservoir and opens to the interior at the bottom of the reservoir A sothat the entire contents of the reservoir can be expelled.

The flexible tube C, preferably of rubber, 'is attached at one end tothe external end of the tube I8 and at the other end to a tubularextension 2U of the valve 22 of the applicator B. This valve comprises ahollow casing 24 having an inlet tubular extension 2li and an outlettubular extension 26, each communicating with the interior, a slidevalve 23 reciprocable within the casing 24, a valve stem 30 passingthrough the casing 24 at a tubular extension 32, and a manuallycontrolled button 34 at the end of the stem 30. The button 34 isprovided with an extension 36 in the direction of the stem 3U and oftheA same external diameter as extension 32. A rubber tube 38 nts overextension 32 and is held in place partly by its elasticity and by ahelical spring 40, which lits over the tube 38 and grips it tightly tothe extensions 32 and 35. The spring 40 is under longitudinalcompression so that it urges the slide 28 to the left or closedposition, as shown in Fig. 5. Pressure to the right on button 34 forcesslide 28 past the opening of inlet 20, thus opening the valve by placingopenings 20 and 26 in communication. Any cleaning fluid which nds itsway from the valve casing 24 past the stem`3 through the opening inextension 32 is held in the rubber tube 3l) and prevented from leakingoutside the casing. A plug 42, threaded into casing 24 oppositeextension 32, is provided rable material tted into the body 50; ametallic body locking `member 54 whose purpose is to secure the body 50in place and to hold the valve 22; and a cover 5S which is made of Woodor other heat insulating substance, is shaped to t the hand andcomprises the handle or grip of the applicator. The body 50 is formedwith a flat-bottomed cavity on the upper surface with the sides of thecavity undercut horizontally in the plane of the cavity bottom, thecavity bottom including the undercut extensions being of a size to fitthe member 52. When member 52 is fitted into said cavity, theoverhanging sides of said cavity overlap said member. Threadedcylindrical spacers 58 are secured to member 52' by screws 60, passthrough openings in the member 54, and secure the cover in place on thebody 5I) and member 52 by means of'screws SZ. Member 54, to which thevalve 22 is fixed, lies be.- tween member 52 and the cover 56 and has aturned-down edge. TheY cover 56 is recessed on its lower side to receivethe member 54. When screws 62 are tightened, the cover 561s forceddownwardly carrying member 54 with it. 'I'he turned-down edge of member54 pinches the fold.` of material which overlaps member 5.2, securingthe body 50 in place.

The tube C enters the cover 56 at therear, out of the way of theoperator. The button 34, for a right-hand device, is to the right foroperation by the forenger. At the left front, the cover` 56 is providedwith a hook 62 of appropri-Y ate shape.`

To. the outlet extension 25, there is attached a rubber tube l0 whichpasses downwardly through suitable openings in members 56 and 54 andbody 50 and terminates just within the bottom Working surface of thebody 50. Itis readily under-- stood that with air pressure built up inthe reservoir A, it is merely necessary to depressA the L button 34 withthe foreinger until the desired quantity of cleaning iluid ilows ontothe working surface via the tube J.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 I show a preferred embodiment of the applicator,which is generally designated as Bl'. rIhe applicator BI` comprises astamped metallic hollow casing whichV comprises a top portion 'Hll and aflange 72, and -a cover partially enclosed sponge '14, which is adaptedt0 engage the surface to be cleaned. Within the sponge 74 in the casingis a valve 22 of a construction similar to the valve illustrated in Fig.5. At each of the short ends of the flange 'I2 is an outwardly extendingridge 15, which is adapted to receive a spring, generally designated asD. The spring is of general U-shaped formation having legs 18 and 80.The ridges 'IS on the ilange 'l2 are aligned, and the springs likewiseare aligned. The legs of the spring pass in the tubes 82, that is tosay, each of the legs 18 of. each spring D passes into one tube 82, andthe other legs 8U of each of the springs D pass into the. other tubewhich passes longitudinally through the sponge. The tubes 82 areintermediate the sides of the sponge and, therefore, prevent the sponge'i4 from being pulled out. A strong pull, however, will release thesprings, but under ordinary working conditions the sponge will notpullout. l

Along the side of the flange 'l2 isan outwardly projecting extension 84which is for the purpose of providing a grip for the person handling theapplicator. A hook 86 is attached to the other side ofv the flange 'I2for the purpose of hooking the unit in position. An opening 88 throughthe sponge permits the passage of iluid from the valve 22.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that this cleaningdevice is comparatively simple and that the parts may be economicallymade and assembled.

Although my invention has been described in .x considerable detail, suchdescription is. intended as illustrative rather than limiting, since theinventionV may be variously embodied, andA the scope of the invention isto be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

A cleaning device comprisingk an applicator having. a.relatively thicksponge body, a base for receiving said sponge member, said basecomprising. a metallic member having a flange with outwardly extendedindentations, and a spring Within said` sponge adapted to engage in saidflange indentations whereby the spring. will be resiliently held in alockedposition.

JOHNiA. WISNER.

